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The Navy Occupation Service Medal

The Navy Occupation Service Medal is a Navy military award bestowed to commemorate the services of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

The Navy Occupation Service Medal is a United States Navy military award bestowed to commemorate the services of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel in the occupation of certain territories of the enemies of the U.S. during World War II”.

The Navy Occupation Service Medal also recognizes those personnel who participated in the European and Asian occupation forces during – and following World War II. The medal was additionally awarded to personnel who performed duty in West Berlin between 1945 and 1990.

No more than one Navy Occupation Service Medal may be awarded to an individual. The Navy Occupation Service Medal is the equivalent of the Army of Occupation Medal. No person could receive both awards.

The Navy Occupation Service Medal Design

The Navy Occupation Service Medal was designed by A. A. Weinman,  a German-born American sculptor and architectural sculptor.

The obverse depicts Neptune riding a Hippocampus with the words “Occupation Service”. The reverse shows the words “United States Navy” (or “United States Marine Corps”) and is the same as that of the Dominican Campaign Medal.

The medal is authorized two service clasps: Europe and Asia. The clasps are rectangular with a rope border. If eligible, both clasps may be worn on the medal. The Berlin Airlift Device is also authorized to those who have served 90 days or more in support of the Berlin Airlift between 1948 and 1949.

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The Medal for Humane Action

The Medal for Humane Action is a United States Armed Forces military award created in 1949 to recognize military service members.

The Medal for Humane Action is a United States Armed Forces military award created by an act (63 Stat. 477) of the United States Congress on July 20, 1949 to recognize military service members who performed extended duty in support of the Berlin Airlift.

This medal was created for the single purpose of recognizing service during the Berlin Airlift and was never issued again. To be awarded the Medal for Humane Action, a service member had to have performed over 120 days of duty within the geographical boundary of Berlin. Posthumous award was possible to any person who had lost his life while, or as a direct result of, participating in the Berlin airlift, without regard to the length of such service.

Those qualifying were also eligible for either the Army of Occupation Medal, or the Navy Occupation Service Medal, and both medals were authorized for simultaneous award and display.

The Medal for Humane Action Design

The medal is based on the design of the Berlin Airlift Device. It was designed by Thomas Hudson Jones a Buffalo-born sculptor of the Army Heraldic Section.

It’s made of bronze and round, and it measures 1.25 inches (32 mm) in diameter. On the obverse, it depicts a Douglas C-54 Skymaster over a wheat wreath. In the center of the wreath is the Coat of arms of Berlin. The reverse shows the eagle, shield, and arrows from the seal of the Department of Defense and reads “For Humane Action / To Supply Necessities of Life to the People of Berlin Germany“.

The medal is suspended by a ribbon of teal blue with black edges separated by thin white stripes. In the center is a red stripe with thin white stripes.

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The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

The European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is a United States Armed Forces military award first created in 1942.

The European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (originally known as the “EAME Ribbon”) is a United States Armed Forces military award first created on November 6, 1942 by Executive Order 9265 issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The medal recognizes military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) during the years of the Second World War.

The European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is awarded for any service performed between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946, dates inclusive, provided such service was performed between the west and east boundaries.

The European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal Design

The medal is made of bronze and measures 1 3/8 inches in width.

The medal’s obverse was designed by Mr. Thomas Hudson Jones, a U.S. sculptor for the Army’s Institute of Heraldry, based on General Eisenhower’s request that the medal includes an invasion scene. It displays an LST landing craft and troops landing under fire with an airplane in the background below the words EUROPEAN AFRICAN MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN.

The reverse side of the European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was designed by Adolph Alexander Weinman and is the same design as on the reverse of the Asiatic–Pacific and American Campaign Medals: An American bald eagle close between the dates 1941 – 1945 and the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and shows a brown stripe that represents the sands of Africa, Irish green for the fields of Europe, white and scarlet for the Italian colors. The center is triparted Old Glory Blue, White and Scarlet.

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The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

The Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded to any U.S. Armed Forces member who had served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during WW2.

The Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal is a military award from the United States during the Second World War. It was awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces who had served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945.

The medal was created on November 6, 1942 by Executive Order 9265 issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal was first issued as a service ribbon in 1942. A full medal was authorized in 1947, the first of which was presented to General of the Army Douglas MacArthur.

The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Design

The Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal was designed by Thomas Hudson Jones, a U.S. sculptor for the Army’s Institute of Heraldry.

The reverse was designed by Adolph Alexander Weinman and is the same design as used on the reverse of the American Campaign Medal and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

There were 21 Army and 48 Navy-Marine Corps official campaigns of the Pacific Theater, denoted on the suspension by service stars also known as “battle stars“. Some Navy construction battalion units issued the medal with Arabic numerals.

The European Theater equivalent of the medal was known as the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

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The Army of Occupation Medal

The Army of Occupation Medal is a US military award established by the United States War Department in the aftermath of the Second World War.

The Army of Occupation Medal is a United States military award established by the United States War Department on 5 April 1946 in the aftermath of the Second World War. The medal recognizes those who had performed occupation service in either Germany, Italy, Austria, or Japan.

To be awarded the Army of Occupation Medal, a service member was required to have performed at least thirty consecutive days of military duty within a designated geographical area of military occupation.

The original Army of Occupation Medal was intended only for members of the United States Army, but it was expanded in 1948 to include the United States Air Force shortly after its creation. The Navy and Marine equivalent of the Army of Occupation Medal is the Navy Occupation Service Medal.

The Army of Occupation Medal Design

The Army of Occupation Medal is made of bronze and measures 1.25 inches across.

The obverse shows the abutments of the Remagen Bridge with the words “ARMY OF OCCUPATION” inscribed above. On the reverse is Mount Fuji, with a low hanging cloud over two Japanese junks above a wave and the inscribed date “1945”.

The medal was presented with a campaign clasp, denoting either European or Asian service. Campaign clasps were worn on the full sized medal only with no corresponding device when wearing the Army of Occupation Medal as a ribbon on a military uniform. A bronze clasp 0.125 inches wide and 1.5 inches in length with the word “GERMANY” or “JAPAN” is worn on the suspension ribbon of the medal to indicate service in Europe or the Far East.

The Army of Occupation Medal Design

The Army of Occupation Medal is made of bronze and measures 1.25 inches across.

The obverse shows the abutments of the Remagen Bridge with the words “ARMY OF OCCUPATION” inscribed above. On the reverse is Mount Fuji, with a low hanging cloud over two Japanese junks above a wave and the inscribed date “1945”.

The medal was presented with a campaign clasp, denoting either European or Asian service. Campaign clasps were worn on the full sized medal only with no corresponding device when wearing the Army of Occupation Medal as a ribbon on a military uniform. A bronze clasp 0.125 inches wide and 1.5 inches in length with the word “GERMANY” or “JAPAN” is worn on the suspension ribbon of the medal to indicate service in Europe or the Far East.

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The American Campaign Medal

The American Campaign Medal is a United States Armed Forces military award created on November 6, 1942.

The American Campaign Medal is a United States Armed Forces military award created on November 6, 1942 and issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (Executive Order 9265 ). The first person to ever receive the American Campaign Medal was General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff of the Army.

Who was awarded the American Campaign Medal?

The American Campaign Medal recognizes military members who have performed service in the American Theater of Operations during World War II. There is a similar medal, named the American Defense Service Medal, that was awarded for active duty service before the United States entered the Second World War.

What are the Requirements of the American Campaign Medal?

There are some specific requirements for the American Campaign Medal. These are as follows: Service within the American Theater between the dates of 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 under any of these conditions:

  1. On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States.
  2. Permanently assigned as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days.
  3. Outside the continental limits of the U.S. in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days.
  4. In active combat against the enemy, and awarded a combat decoration or with a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the Soldier actually participated in combat.
  5. Within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of 1 year.

Who was Awarded the American Campaign Medal?

The American Campaign Medal recognizes military members who have performed service in the American Theater of Operations during World War II. There is a similar medal, named the American Defense Service Medal, that was awarded for active duty service before the United States entered the Second World War.

What are the Requirements of the American Campaign Medal?

There are some specific requirements for the American Campaign Medal. These are as follows: Service within the American Theater between the dates of 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946 under any of these conditions:

  1. On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States.
  2. Permanently assigned as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days.
  3. Outside the continental limits of the U.S. in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days.
  4. In active combat against the enemy, and awarded a combat decoration or with a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the Soldier actually participated in combat.
  5. Within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of 1 year.

The American Campaign Medal Design

The American Campaign Medal is made of bronze and measures 1 1/4 inches wide.

The obverse was designed by Thomas Hudson Jones, a U.S. sculptor for the Army’s Institute of Heraldry. It shows a Navy cruiser underway with a B-24 Liberator bomber flying overhead. In the foreground is a sinking enemy submarine, and in the background is the skyline of a city. At the top of the medal are the words AMERICAN CAMPAIGN.

The reverse of the American Campaign Medal, created by Adolph Alexander Weinman, is the same as used on both the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. It depicts an American bald eagle between the dates 1941 – 1945 and the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

The American Campaign Medal ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and the colors are oriental blue in the center stripe divided into thirds of old glory blue (to represent the Americas), white, and scarlet (the continuance of American defense after Pearl Harbor). Between the center and the edges are stripes of white, black, scarlet and white. The white and black stripes represent the German part of the conflict on the Atlantic Coast, while the red and white stripes are for the Japanese colors and refer to that part of the conflict on the Pacific Coast.

The American Campaign Medal Campaign: For the Navy

Recipients of the American Campaign Medal need to have participated in the following escort, armed guard, antisubmarine, and special operations. They are to receive one campaign star for each participation:

The American Campaign Medal Campaign: For the Army

There is an authorized bronze service star for participation in antisubmarine operations (USS Asterion AK-100 and USS Frederick C. Davis DE-136). To qualify for them, individuals have to have been assigned to and present for duty with a unit having antisubmarine campaign credit.

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The American Defense Service Medal

The American Defense Service Medal is a United States Armed Forces military award established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941.

The American Defense Service Medal is a United States Armed Forces military award established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 28, 1941 (Executive Order 8808). The medal recognizes military service members who served on active duty between the dates of September 8, 1939 and December 7, 1941. There is a similar medal, called the American Campaign Medal, that was established in 1942 for operations during World War II. 

Members of the United States Army and the Army Reserve and Army National Guard could receive this medal for any length of service provided that they were on orders to active duty for at least twelve months or longer and had passed their initial physical examinations. The Navy excluded reservists that had been on duty for less than ten dates.

The American Defense Service Medal Authorized Devices

There are several devices authorized for the American Defense Service Medal. These include:

  • Foreign Service Clasp: For military service (Army) outside the continental limits of the U.S., including in Alaska. It’s a bronze bar 1⁄8 inch (3.2 mm) wide and 1+1⁄2 in (38 mm) long and has the words FOREIGN SERVICE inscribed.
  • Base Clasp: For service (Navy and Marine Crops) outside the continental limits of the U.S., including Alaska or Hawaii.
  • Fleet Clasp: For service (Coast Guard) on the high seas while regularly attached to any vessels of the Atlantic, Pacific, or Asiatic fleets or of Naval Transport Service and those operating directly under the Chief of Naval Operations. It’s a bronze bar 1⁄8 inch (3.2 mm) wide and 1+1⁄2 in (38 mm) long with the inscribed words FLEET.
  • Sea Clasp: For all other vessels and aircraft (Coast Guard) not qualifying for the Fleet Clasp but that conducted patrols at sea regularly.
  • “A” Device: For members of the Navy that served duty in actual or potential belligerent contact with Axis Powers between June 22 and December 7, 1941 in the Atlantic Ocean. The device could also be worn on the medal’s uniform ribbon.
  • Service star: Worn in lieu of clasps when wearing the medal as a ribbon on a military uniform.

The American Defense Service Medal Design

The service ribbon design was approved by the Secretary of War and the Secretary of Navy on January 7, 1942. The medal was designed by Mr. Lee Lawrie, a civilian sculptor from Easton, Maryland, and the model approved by the Commission of Fine Arts on May of the same year.

A similar medal, known as the American Campaign Medal, was established in 1942, for service in the American Theater during the World War II era.

The bronze medal measures 1 1/4 inches in width. On the obverse is a female Grecian figure symbolic of defense, holding in her sinister hand an ancient war shield in reverse and her dexter hand brandishing a sword above her head, and standing upon a conventionalized oak branch with four leaves. Around the top is the lettering “AMERICAN DEFENSE”. The reverse is the wording “FOR SERVICE DURING THE LIMITED EMERGENCY PROCLAIMED BY THE PRESIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 8, 1939 OR DURING THE UNLIMITED EMERGENCY PROCLAIMED BY THE PRESIDENT ON MAY 27, 1941” above a seven-leafed spray of laurel.

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The West Wall Medal

The West Wall Medal was a decoration of Nazi Germany given to those who designed and built the fortifications on Germany’s western borders.

The West Wall Medal (or Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen in German) was a political decoration of Nazi Germany instituted on 2 August 1939.

The medal was given to those who designed and built the fortifications on Germany’s western borders, known as the West Wall or, in English, the Siegfried Line. It was also goven to the troops who served there between 15 June 1938 to 31 March 1939.

A total of 622,064 medals were awarded until 31 January 1941. In 1944, the medal was again re-instituted after the allied invasion and awarded to those who took part in the fortification of the western borders. By the end of the war, it had been awarded to over 800,000 men.

The West Wall Medal Design

The West Wall Medal is struck in bronze and of oval shape. It features on the obverse (from bottom to top) a bunker, a crossed sword and shovel, and the German Eagle. On the reverse it bore the inscription “Für Arbeit zum Schutze Deutschlands” (For Work on the Defenses of Germany).

The medal was designed by Professor Richard Klein, of Munich. The ribbon is golden brown with a white stripe towards each edge.

The Anschluss Commemorative Medal

The Anschluss Commemorative Medal was a decoration of Nazi Germany instituted on 1 May 1938 and awarded during the interwar period. 

The Anschluss Commemorative Medal (or Die Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938 in German) was a decoration of Nazi Germany instituted on 1 May 1938 and awarded during the interwar period.

The medal commemorated the annexation of Austria to the German Reich, or Anschluss. The move was the first in Hitler’s quest for Lebensraum, and it strengthened German flanks while weakening those of Czechoslovakia.

The medal, known as the “Anschluss medal“, was awarded to all those Austrians who contributed to or participated in the annexation as well as the members of the Austrian National Socialism movement. It was also awarded to German State officials and members of the German Wehrmacht and SS who marched into Austria.

The Anschluss Commemorative Medal Design

The Anschluss Commemorative medal is round, highly detailed, die-struck and based on the 1938 Party Day Badge and designed by Professor Richard Klein.

On the obverse of the medal, symbolic of Austrian adhesion to the German realm, a man holding the Nazi flag stands on a dais bearing the emblem of the “Third Reich”; he assists onto the dais a second man, on whose right hand a broken shackle still may be seen. On the reverse is the inscription “13. März 1938” (13 March 1938), the date of the Anschluss; the date is surrounded by the words, “Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer” (“One People, One Empire, One Leader”).

The Anschluss Commemorative Medal was awarded until 31 December 1940, and a total of 318,689 medals were awarded.

The Silver Medal of Military Valor

Time Period: Pre World War I, The Great War
Institution: 21 May 1793
Country: Italy

The Silver Medal of Military Valor (or Medaglia d’argento al valor militare in Italian) is a medal for gallantry.

Italian medals for valor were first instituted by Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia on 21 May 1793, with a gold medal, and, below it, a silver medal. These were intended for junior officers or common soldiers who had distinguished themselves in combat.

Although these medals fell into disuse during the period of Napoleonic domination, they were reinstated on 1 April 1815, by Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia, who replaced them with the Military Order of Savoy (l’Ordine militare di Savoia), now known as the Military Order of Italy.

In 1833, Charles Albert of Sardinia re-instituted the medals for valor (gold and silver) as awards for noble acts performed by soldiers in both war and peace. During World War I, the medal was awarded to military personnel, units above the level of company and civilians for exceptional valor in the face of the enemy. During World War I, the medal was given out some 38,614 times for individual acts of heroism (compared to 368 Gold Medals and 60,244 Bronze medals). Thus, the Italian Silver Medal for Military Valor is equivalent in frequency and prestige to the British Military Cross, which was awarded some 40,253 times during World War I.

The Silver Medal of Military Valor Design

The Italian Silver Medal of Military Valor is made of silver. The medal measures 33.5 mm in diameter. On the obverse is engraved “VICARIOTTO CLAUDIO” in the centre, surrounded by the engraved inscription “COSTONE DI QUOTA 1940 – KONITZA (FRONTE GRECO) 14 NOV. 1940 XIX” on the reverse.